What is the new Severe Winter Traction Standard?
Back in 1998, many people expressed the concern that the M+S (Mud and Snow) marking on tires was becoming a bit of a joke. As long as the tire provided some degree of M+S traction, it got the rating. The exact amount of traction was a bit of a gray area based on geometric ratios. Some M+S snow tires worked well in snow, and some barely worked (particularly All-Season tires). To clarify the issue, the Rubber Manufactures Association and the Rubber Association of Canada set forth a new standard – the Severe Winter Traction Standard. The standard was introduced in February 1999, and is now in full effect. Many states have already adopted it as the new standard, especially when it comes to crossing snow covered mountain passes. To identify tires that meet this standard, a graphic symbol was developed showing a picture of a snow flake superimposed over a mountain range. Although most tires that meet this standard now have it directly imprinted in the sidewall, not all of them are marked. Fo
